I agree with Joe and the others in the keep the sound down group. One little problem occurs when you’re running a long train, all with metal wheels. The sound of that many wheels on rail can overpower the engine sound. Other than that, I like the sound of several units sitting in the yard popping off, sounds like the real thing. [:)]
Tilden
Tilden I’m with ya! Those sounds of diesels idling and popping off is a prototype scenario I got to enjoy years back as a teen when I would visit the big SCL yard here in the Tampa area.
Re: Train wheels.
Remember that whenever prototype trains cruise by any of us sitting at a grade crossing, we’re going to notice that the “clickety-clacks” are indeed loud and will drown out locomotive sounds, even at full throttle. To me it sounds more like “Wumpety-wump!”
Something to consider.
One thing that puzzles me a bit are some of the posters that don’t like sound at all, that it gets to be nerve wracking. It is simple to just turn the sound off. However, I put forth this thought:
If you’ve gone railfanning at a loco terminal or yard with your camera within the past 3 decades…you’ve probably enjoyed the sights and sounds. Didn’t you notice that after a while, let’s say 10 minutes of hunting and shooting photos, those sounds pretty much become “white noise”, with the exception of an occasional horn sounding somewhere? Even GE locomotives, with their slow “chug-chug-chug-chug” idling sounds, eventually become “distant” in the mind.
One afternoon at the club I belonged to, three modelers left their sound equipped locomotives idling in the main yard right next to where I was standing.&nb
Noob here, I’ve always wondered what that “popping” sound was (if you are referring to what I always called “snapping” in my mind); I am refering to diesels here, of course. I know it’s not the prime mover, so it must be in the electric part of diesel-electric, but what, exactly, is it?
How do people model railroad/ like train when they dont like sound? Trains=noise.
The popping noise is the safety valve on the air system, I believe. Keeps the brake system air pressure up without blowing anything out.
Anybody who thinks the models are noisy should stand trackside when a tofc train is rounding the curve up hill heading west into tunnel 10 after coming out of the Tehachapi Loop. The engine sounds are the least of the noise. The flange squeal alone is deafening, not to mention the creaking and groaning of the flatcars.
But…that’s what I’m there for. [:D]
It is the engine purging itself, or, getting the air out of the fuel tank.
Jug,
I think you’re referring to a spitter valve, not pop-off. Just click on this line below. Good thread that explains it the differences.
AntonioFP45, interesting thread, but I am maybe not making my question clear, let me try again.
I’ve been driving semi’s for over 15 years, and semi’s have air brakes, also, as I am sure you know. They probably don’t function exactly the same as a locomotives would, but I do think they are similar. When idling, air pressure will be lost or “leaked”, and then the compressor comes on, rebuilding pressure to a set limit, then the release valve “pops”, compressor shuts off, and the cycle will repeat.
No, what I am curious about could, I guess, be called rather a “sparking” sound-quite loud and distinctive. That’s what it sounds like, just like a big spark. What the heck is this?
O.K, I understand what you’re saying. That is something interesting.
CSXEngineer is still active on the TRAINS forum, as well as several other engineers and conductors. Make a post on that thread I referred you to.
CSXEngineer or one of the other professional railroaders my chime in with some more info.
[8D]